If you have been following us for a while, you are already aware that we are a Catholic Worker Farm. We are not a non-profit, following the tradition set forth by Dorothy Day, co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement. We rely upon the work of our hands and gifts made by those who align with our values and work. One of our mandates is to care for the poor and displaced. Our family has been involved with ministry to homeless in one capacity or another for more than a decade. This morning we set up a fundraiser for our Afghan refugee apostolate.
We have heard back from a couple of NGOs (local to us) about our offer to welcome refugees. Individuals and families will need assistance with paperwork, employment, medical and mental health care, school registration, and other activities of daily living. They will also need safe, warm housing.
We have offered to receive up to three families here on our Catholic Worker Farm and assist with all of these needs.The wheels are in motion now and we need to raise funds for our ministry of hospitality. Those funds will be used to purchase and/or build mobile or permanent tiny/small homes for those who are coming to Massachusetts. Tiny homes cost a minimum of $20000 each, and could cost well over $100000. We will also be offering work here on the farm to those who desire it. For those who seek work off the farm, we will need to arrange reliable transportation, which may necessitate the acquisition of an additional vehicle.
You will participate in this work by simply sharing the fundraiser with a personal note, by donating a small amount and challenging your friends to match, by offering to volunteer here on the farm, and by organizing prayer chains and circles for our work and for our new community members.
We will update with a list of other needs for our new community members. Many left with little more than the clothes they were wearing.
Special Request: If you have experience preparing Afghan Cuisine, please be in touch. We’d like to welcome our families with something familiar and welcoming.
